ELEANOR MCGUIRK

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT — BFA DRAWING

As an artist, art historian, or simply a citizen of the world, I highly encourage you to go abroad and see more of the world in which you live. We are absorbed in our bubbles and leaving them can be inspiring and uncomfortable in the best of ways. Pratt in Venice is a highly immersive program. The amount of art and history I was exposed to was endless.

I took two classes while in Venice: Prof. Joe Kopta’s Art History of Venice and Prof. Angela Conant’s Printmaking and Drawing in Venice course. Joe’s class was highly in depth. I learned vastly more than I had in any previous Art History course I had taken prior. As any student will say who was privileged enough to participate in the Pratt in Venice program, seeing the artwork and architecture in person was irreplaceable. Venice’s history is uniquely diverse, both socially and artistically. What I saw in Joe’s class were some of the oldest and most beautiful artworks, interiors, and buildings I’ve ever laid eyes on. Angela’s printmaking course was so enjoyable. Scuola Internazionale di Grafica Venezia was a gorgeous and extremely well-equipped facility. The school’s assistant, Alessia De Bortoli, was so lovely, helpful, and patient with us. Despite the program being a summer semester, we were able to learn six different printmaking techniques. Printmaking in Venice was wonderful… talk about being in an inspirational place!

Living in a gorgeous country like Italy with other Pratt students helps to develop strong connections that will last well into the future. Whether in class or out and about in Venice—in the mysterious, detail-rich maze that is the city—I made memories I hold very dear. I was lucky enough to be a part of Pratt in Venice 2019 and I hope you make the decision to be a part of Pratt in Venice 2020! A presto!